Inter Miami Player Ratings vs Columbus Crew: Messi’s Free-Kick Not Enough Amid Morales’ Red Card Blow

Inter Miami Player Ratings Against Columbus Crew

Lionel Messi scored a beautiful free-kick to level the score, but Jamal Thiare struck a winner in the 98th minute, handing Columbus Crew a 2-1 victory at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Inter Miami's defensive setup was severely tested in a tense match that slipped away in stoppage time after Santiago Morales was sent off. The Herons lined up in a 3-4-3 formation aimed at maximizing Messi’s creativity, yet they struggled to keep pace with Columbus’ persistent pressing. Despite controlling 56% possession, Miami managed only three shots on target.

The game hinged on discipline and defensive mistakes. Messi’s equaliser in the 33rd minute canceled out an early penalty by Josef Martinez, but Miami couldn’t hold on. Morales’ quick double booking in the 90+6 minute left Miami down to ten men, immediately exploited by Thiare’s late strike that sealed the match.

Goalkeeper and Defense

• Rocco Rios Novo - 6/10: Made four saves and showed sharp reflexes against six shots on target but couldn't stop the first-half penalty or the late close-range finish.
• Gonzalo Lujan - 5/10: Had a tough night dealing with Columbus forwards, received a yellow card in stoppage time as pressure mounted, and was part of a defense that faltered in the dying minutes.
• Casemiro - 4/10: Played out of position, lacked mobility in the 3-4-3 system, and was frequently targeted by the Columbus attack.
• Micael - 6/10: The calmest among the central defenders, delivering important clearances.

Midfield

• Facundo Mura - 6/10: As wing-back, provided good width and defended well until substituted in the 71st minute; earned a yellow card for a tactical foul.
• Yannick Bright - 5/10: Struggled to influence the midfield, picked up a yellow card at 40 minutes, and committed the foul leading to the penalty.
• Rodrigo De Paul - 6/10: Worked hard linking defense and attack but lacked his usual creativity.
• Sergio Reguilon - 5/10: Offered some width on the left but was inconsistent, substituted in the 86th minute amid rising tensions, and had difficulty tracking overlapping runs.

Attack

• Lionel Messi - 7/10: Once more the standout performer; calmly scored the equaliser despite Miami’s overall poor offensive numbers.
• Luis Suarez - 6/10: Quiet night, often isolated with no shots on target, but his hold-up play helped Messi find space.
• Daniel Pinter - 5/10: Had little involvement in the attack, mostly peripheral.

Substitutes and Manager

• David Ayala - 6/10: Came on for the injured Bright at 40 minutes, adding stability but unable to create decisive chances.
• Riquelme Fillipi - 5/10: Entered at 71 minutes but failed to impact as fouls disrupted play.
• Santiago Morales - 2/10: A disastrous brief appearance. Coming on at 86 minutes, he received two quick yellow cards, leading to a red and leaving Miami short-handed during their collapse.
• Ezequiel Abadia-Reda - N/A: Substituted in late at 86 minutes with too little time to judge.
• Kily Gonzalez - 5/10: His 3-4-3 system controlled possession but lacked punch, resulting in just three shots on target. Morales’ introduction backfired badly, leaving the team tactically disorganized after the sending off.